Tezpur, July 29 -- A research team from Tezpur University in Assam has developed a low-cost, portable device that can detect Tuberculosis (TB) using a smartphone, offering a promising solution for early diagnosis in rural and underserved regions.

According to a press release, Prof. Pabitra Nath from the Department of Physics and his team designed the device to function without dyes or chemical reagents.

Instead, it detects TB bacteria by harnessing their natural autofluorescence, a glow emitted when exposed to specific wavelengths of light, the statement said.

"While LED-FM [LED fluorescence microscopy] offers higher sensitivity than conventional optical microscopy, it has several drawbacks. It depends on costly equipment, chemical sta...